Petr Matějček

Most Czechs favor restaurant smoking ban

Petr Matějček — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:33:38 +0000

A smoking ban is again on the agenda, with the Ministry of Health now preparing an amendment to the Tobacco Act that could enter into force as of January 2013. Those pushing for it include Prime Minister Petr Nečas and parliamentary health committee chairman Boris Šťastný (both Civic Democrats, ODS) and Health Minister Leoš Heger (TOP 09).

Bontonland CEO: Half-crazed kids won’t save music industry

Petr Matějček — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:46:39 +0000

In April, a fourth strong player arrived on the Czech digital music scene.

Occupy Prague: We must ask ourselves if we want this kind of capitalism

Petr Matějček — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:49:58 +0000

Czech activist Jan Cemper wants democracy — “real democracy” — and he wants it now. That is why the former electrotechnician, who now works for a small Prague travel agency, established the Real Democracy Now(STD) group together with a few sympathizers.

Do Czechs need an Internet Freedom Act?

Petr Matějček — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:58:18 +0000

The Czech Pirate Party (ČPS) has presented its controversial new draft Internet Freedom Act, which is based on the principle that the state should not intervene in this form of “free media.” The act aims mainly to prevent spying on, censoring or disconnecting of users; it would also ban violating so-called network neutrality by transferring legal responsibility for users’ beha

Strange Czech bedfellows: What about the pirates?

Petr Matějček — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:02:51 +0000

Protest happenings, demonstrations, seminars, interviews with journalists, television appearances, debates with politicians – the Czech Pirate Party (ČPS) is experiencing an unprecedented boom.

‘Anonymous is the ideal of direct democracy in practice’ says Czech activist Great Troll

Petr Matějček — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:38:55 +0000

In the wake of attacks on the websites of the Association for the Protection of Rights for musicians (OSA), the Czech government, center-right party the Civic Democrats (ODS), and street demonstrations against the Czech Republic’s signature on the Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement (ACTA), the Anonymous movement has been propelled to the forefront of media attention.

Czech Euro MPs oppose ‘completely wide of the mark’ ACTA

Petr Matějček — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:48:53 +0000

The signing of the Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement (ACTA) by 22 EU member states, including the Czech Republic, has met stiff public opposition across Europe.

Czech Pirate Party: Metro ticket barriers to be used for surveillance

Petr Matějček — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:20:13 +0000

The Czech Pirate Party (ČPS) held a demonstration on Tuesday against the planned installation of ticket barriers in the Prague metro. Party activists dressed in reflective jackets blocked the way to the platform at the I.P. Pavlova station, one of the Prague metro’s busiest, with boards labeled “ticket barrier trial” and distributed leaflets with information about Prague Transportation Company’s (DPHMP) plans.

Nova TV Internet boss says Google steals content

Petr Matějček — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:23:21 +0000

In early 2012, Google TV will be launched in Europe enabling users to watch various terrestrial channels, buy and download films and other programs, save You Tube clips, and visit social network sites via the portal. Some experts predict the service will mark a new era in television, but the head of internet at CET 21, the owner of the most-watched Czech commercial TV broadcaster, Nova, rules out cooperation.

Cyber security and hacking insulin pumps

Petr Matějček — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:27:39 +0000

“A load of blogs and fat people wanting to have sex with you,” was how US comedian Richard “Lowtax” Kyanka described the internet just a few years ago. But the world-wide web today is much more than a circus of oddities formed from ones and zeros. We use the internet to work, communicate, to shop and pay bills, to archive… Slowly but surely it has become the backbone of our society.